Canada’s Ian Kamau Does it Again
September 21, 2009
So as I write this, the date of September 9th has come and gone, and unfortunately, the anticipated release from Ian Kamau has not materialized. Ian though did not however leave us completely wanting, and dropped vol. 2 of the now “September 9th” series. With his album pushed back, Ian put together another mixtape to tide us over as the album gets together. Vol. 2 definitely feels like more of a mixtape with the very noticeable tracks from Kid Cudi (Day & Night) and Dilla (instrumental off Donuts) mixed in, along with two songs from the previous mixtape (Alarm Call and April Fools are reprised in the second installation). This tape also introduces us to a few of Ian’s cohorts, TheRealVoyce, Narcy, Paul, Equinox, and Daneo whom all have decent moments but don’t quite match Ian’s performances throughout.
Ian starts again with “Dear Summer”, re-visiting new moments, memories of hope, and everyday life. Then “Workingonit” is sort of a playful jab at the predicament of the album not being released. Still, Ian’s strength is his direct observations on what’s really going on. “Somebody” is the best example of what shined the brightest on vol. 1 . A bouncy jazzy track, that Ian rides effortlessly again offering up himself as he sings the hook “I am what I am I am”. Somebody is a track that shows the full spectrum of what Ian does on a track. The voice, flow, and his ability to take personal subjects; address them, but keep it universal. “ThirtySomething” is a crew track with each emcee offering their thoughts on turning the big 3-0. The highlights from this tape are Ian’s own brand of self deprecation on “Successful”, “Getsyoudown”, “Father Time”, his rawness on “Old Boys Club”, and “Cant make you love me”.
The dynamic style that Ian displayed on vol. 1 is still present, though he doesn’t show you the whole range as he did on the first tape (missing are the harmonies that gave so much soul to the vol. 1). With that said, Vol. 2 continues to be a solid tape, and Ian still makes the mundane magnificent with his matter of fact common man proclamations. Next up, the Album…..
Written by Mikal Lee for Nomadic Wax
http://www.zshare.net/download/6529439766bea28e/
Comments
Got something to say?
